Jog Derbyshire Coordinators required, Belper News

Derbyshire’s Community Sports Trust (a not-for-profit Community Interest Company) is proud to have been awarded the contract to manage the ‘Jog Derbyshire’ project on behalf of Derbyshire Sport and partners across the county, funded by Sport England. (Read more in Belper News)

We’re now looking for two part-time, paid Co-ordinators to join our team to work with communities and individuals to develop new opportunities for people to take up jogging.

Community Sports Trust Board Member Hayley Lever said: “We’re proud Derbyshire Sport have faith that we can build on the hard work they’ve put in to setting up Jog Derbyshire. It’s a highly successful, community-spirited project which encourages people to get fitter and more active. What’s great is that it build’s people’s confidence because they’re able to start out jogging with people who are at a similar fitness level with the support and encouragement of a qualified Jog Derbyshire group leader.”

Hayley added: “Over the past two years the Community Sports Trust has worked hard to establish the Derbyshire Village Games project (www.villagegames.org.uk) setting up sports and activities for local people in villages all over the county, right on their doorstep. It’s proved a big hit with people of all ages and abilities having a go at activities ranging from abseiling to Zumba. We’re confident our new Jog Derbyshire coordinators will complement our team of Village Games Officers and be able to help even more Derbyshire people both in towns and rural communities get fitter, healthier and find friends through sport.”

Liz Stillo, a Jog Derbyshire Leader based in Chinley in the High Peak, who’s just about to launch 2 new courses in Hayfield and Chinley said: “New joggers often feel apprehensive. They worry about holding other people back, being too slow, what they’ll look like and everyone else being better than them. So it’s tremendous to see the huge improvements they make. From not running at all, then run-walking after just six weeks they’re able to keep going for half an hour non-stop.”

Liz said she soon sees results: “Last year I supported a group of ladies in Combs - half of them had never run more than a mile and they went on to complete the Great North Run. What I love about beginners is their enthusiasm - once they’ve made up their minds to run, they’ll turn out whatever the weather and they stick at it and go on to join local running groups. If you can bring a friend, that’s great but if not, don’t worry as you’ll soon find someone your own level and make new friends.”

If you’re passionate about sport and have the skills to apply to be a Jog Derbyshire Coordinator visit our website (www.communitysportstrust.co.uk) or if you are interested in subsidised training to qualify as a volunteer Jog Derbyshire leader please email Hayley Lever on info@communitysportstrust.co.uk.

Our next Volunteer Jog Leader training courses (Leadership in Running Fitness) are Sunday 19th February at Kissingate Leisure Centre, Shirebrook and Sunday 4th March at Moorways Sports Centre, Derby (both 08:45 - 17:00) The LIRF (Jog Leader) course currently costs £90. However, Jog Derbyshire will fully subsidise the cost of the course, reimbursing any hosted or independent ‘volunteer’ Jog Leader the £90 course fee once he/she has set up a Jog Derbyshire group (or is co-leading a Jog Derbyshire group). For details on how to apply to our Bursary scheme (for LIRF course subsidy) see http://www.activederbyshire.co.uk/jog/Courses